Business Development Manager - Life Sciences

Classification & Regular Hours

Hours per Week: 35

Salary Grade: 16

The base salary will be $76,490 - $109,190 per annum. Starting salary will be aligned with the successful candidate’s experience, skills, and demonstrated qualifications.

About Western

Since 1878, Western University has been committed to serving our communities through the pursuit of academic excellence and by providing students, faculty, and community members with life-long opportunities for intellectual, social, and cultural growth.  We seek excellent students, faculty, and staff to join us in what has become known as the "Western Experience" - an opportunity to contribute to a better world through the development of new knowledge, new abilities, new connections, and new ways to make a difference.

About Us

The office of the Vice-President (Research) fosters a culture of research excellence by promoting a globally minded approach to curiosity, discovery, creative activity, and innovation. The Vice-President (Research) also provides strategic leadership of Western Research, which allocates resources, aligns strategies, and provides services and programs to ensure Western is a leading research-intensive university. It is also responsible to ensure a healthy flow of technology resulting from Western research to the commercial world thereby creating jobs, increasing economic development and the general betterment of society.

Responsibilities

Reporting to the Director of the Western Technology Transfer Office (WTTO), the Business Development Manager plays a pivotal role in advancing the commercialization of intellectual property in the Life Sciences, including those generated by Western’s Robarts Research Institute. The position leads strategic commercialization initiatives in close collaboration with key stakeholders, including the WTTO Director, the AVP of Innovation and Strategic Partnerships, the Vice President of Research, and executive leaders from affiliated institutions and the local community. The role builds and maintains strong relationships with researchers, clinicians, industry representatives, and other partners to identify and advance promising commercialization opportunities. The Manager’s primary focus is to foster technology transfer, strengthen industry partnerships, and move research innovations from discovery to market impact. 

The Business Development Manager leads the development and execution of strategies to advance the commercialization of intellectual property. This includes evaluating new technologies, overseeing protection and marketing efforts, and fostering strategic partnerships. Negotiating terms for licenses, research and development agreements, and confidentiality agreements is a key part of the role, as is identifying funding opportunities for prototype development and supporting the creation of spin-off companies through business planning and market research.

The Business Development Manager ensures that resources are effectively allocated to technologies with the highest potential for impact, establishing systems for prioritizing commercial investments. The role also promotes a culture of research excellence and innovation, encouraging and rewarding outstanding research within the institutes. By cultivating relationships with public and private sector partners, the Manager advances the research, clinical, and educational goals of Western and Robarts Research Institutes.

Qualifications

Education:

• Master’s Degree in a Life Science related field (such as Biochemistry, Microbiology, Biophysics, Physiology, etc.)
• PhD in a Life Sciences related field preferred 
• Business education (e.g. HBA, MBA) or equivalent business experience preferred

Experience:

• 5 years of business development experience, with research and technology transfer initiatives and in negotiating business arrangements in the private sector or industry 
• Working experience in an academic environment with liaison between university and industry preferred
• Experience in patenting, licensing and start-up companies (business planning, financing, managing) preferred
• Working experience in commercialization of innovations in the life sciences field would be an asset

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities:

• Technical knowledge in a Life Sciences related field 
• In-depth knowledge of relevant business practices, intellectual property management and protection, including copyrights and patents
• Ability and willingness to stay abreast of developments in the field of technology transfer, commercialization, entrepreneurship and knowledge mobilization
• In-depth knowledge of the regulations and guidelines governing research in an academic environment
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills and confidence dealing with all levels of an organization
• Ability to work in a manner that models best practices in confidentiality standards
• Strong customer service skills to resolve inquiries and issues in a professional and timely manner
• Ability to maintain and develop an effective network of contacts that provide information regarding emergent opportunities and best practices
• Strong attention to detail and proofreading abilities
• Ability to make decisions and recommendations that are clearly linked to the organization's strategy and goals
• Ambitious with the ability to identify opportunities, develop action plans and set challenging goals to achieve desired outcomes
• Ability to evaluate issues, recognize potential problems and act to proactively resolve issues
• Project management skills to manage multiple projects simultaneously from conception to completion within tightly prescribed timelines
• Intermediate computer skills in Microsoft Office Suite
• Ability to understand, interpret, and effectively communicate University guidelines, policies and practices to key stakeholders

Western Values Diversity

The University invites applications from all qualified individuals. Western is committed to employment equity and diversity in the workplace and welcomes applications from women, members of racialized groups/visible minorities, Indigenous persons, persons with disabilities, persons of any sexual orientation, and persons of any gender identity or gender expression.

Accommodations are available for applicants with disabilities throughout the recruitment process.  If you require accommodations for interviews or other meetings, please contact Human Resources or phone 519-661-2194.

Please Note:

This position is an existing vacancy. This position is fully in-person, on-site. We thank all applicants for their interest; however, only those chosen for an interview will be contacted.

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